|| FLASHBACK :
: Experience of Priceless ||

After meeting the Tech Defence Vice-Chairman of India, I moved on to catch up my booked groundrail bogie, despite my escorting officer's warning to board the skyrail, meant for the rich and VIPs. I had my own reason.

Delhi is now a fort-city. Its airspace is restricted, so is its inter-city commutation, with the exceptions of ministers and international visitors like me carrying a prior approval. I was carrying a blue pass, implying my exit time window is not discretionary but narrow and stringent. I had to hurry for the short distance roadrail to get out of city and wait at Ajmer station, even if the groundrail train at Ajmer would be late and it was indeed, unexpectedly. I smelled an old rat of security checks for the whole bogie I booked.

"Hey, get away from here. Not today," my escorting officer, Raj Verma obstructed a child.

"He's just a 10-11 yrs boy. Let him come," I insisted.

Raj scouted his filthy clothes and allowed him to come.

"You want an autograph ?", I smiled at him.

"Want food. Not eating 2 days. You a big man, have big food."

I offered him money but he refused with same vigour, "Cannot eat notes. Want food." He unfolded his pocket and showed me some thirty coins. "No one giving me food for money. I have so many."

I figured it would be less than half of price of a bun.

"What's your name ? Where do you stay ?"

"Amir", a sarcasm he uttered, " Amir Abdullah. I stay nearby."

I had an Indian rupee in my pocket and all I needed was my Bancomat card. I gave him a 5000 INR note. Raj retorted "Sir !" and then told the boy to go. Amir moved on, staring at the big man's big note, towards the nearest fast food stall, paused for a while and put the note in his pocket and went away.

"I knew it, Sir," said Raj.

"May be, he has some other need," I reasoned myself.

After a long wait, I boarded my private bogie and set off to Lahore, but Fate had something else going on her mind.

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